After leaving the king's office, I spotted brother Roman, brother Nicholas and mother outside the palace by the carriage.
"Bea? I thought that you were with king?"
The one who must have told her would be the head maid.
So they did plan on asking me relentlessly today.
"His majesty said that I can leave first so that I can have enough time to rest before the day of the departure"
Mother had me wrapped on her warm embrace.
"Yes. I will take a temporary leave so that I can spend my time with you till the day of the departure"
Ah~ it would have felt better if she didn't hug me so hard to the point that my back hurt.
"Are you really okay going to the empire?"
"Yes, brother Nicholas. There is no need for you to worry"
Originally, the heroine was chosen- no, rather, she was also requested by the Vanifi empire because of her ethereal beauty. She who manage to stay alive means I can also stay alive.
But I am sure that there are people who are bound to have malicious thoughts towards me.
...
After we got back, mother went to her office so that she can finish all important matters so that she can spend the remaining days I have here before the day of the departure.
Brother Nicholas did the same by going through the documents that were supposed to be tend to for the upcoming days.
Me, brother Roman and Dereck are in my room, with a dreadful expression.
"So, what is your plan?"
"Do send me a letter every week. Make sure that you write it here in the Emond duchy and that the letter itself will always, and always contain only cheesy love quotes"
"That way Dereck would be able to visit me, right? But why does he have to be here to write the letter?"
"Simple. So that the letter can be stamped by father's seal. It would make more sense if the letter was sent simultaneously with our parents' letter. Not to mention I am sure that the empire would be cautious enough to do a background check on me so they most likely already know that I have a fiancé"
It is logical but Dereck will have to put effort into visiting the Emond duchy to write the letter so that he can be with brother Roman.
"One more thing. Dereck, make sure that the letter is brimming with L.O.V.E. okay?"
"....Huh...?"
"Why do I need to do that?"
Why are these two looking at me with utter disgust when I am the one trying to help them.
"Listen closely, you ignorant and dense idiots. You guys said that it was the second prince of the empire who requested for me to go to the empire, right?"
"Yes"
"And his sister, the empress, had no problem accepting it since she already knew that I am the daughter of the duke of Emond, who supports the crown prince of Loate greatly, will have some political advantage for them?"
"Yes"
"Then, let me ask you this: Did the second prince knew I was engaged before making that request?"
"...Oh"
Finally, these dipshits caught up.
"As you know, the second prince of the Vanifi empire is known to be a total play boy who sleeps with at least one girl a day. Do you seriously think that he won't do anything to me despite being the one who said my name that day?"
Then again, based on that guy's shitty personality in the novel, even if he did knew I was engaged to someone that won't be enough to stop him since he would also go for married girls as long as they are younger than him.
"That actually makes a lot of sense now that you put it that way"
The fact that these two are so slow when things are related to me really irritates me. If Dereck wasn't the villain of the story I wouldn't be wasting time on helping these two with their relationship.
Days passed and the day of the departure for the Vanifi empire came.
The king prepared twenty knights that will be responsible for my safety on my journey as I also hold the king's message.
...
A month later we arrived at the capital of the Vanifi empire, Asteri.
Compared to the empire, Loate seems like a country side city.
The average buildings here are at least twice bigger than most large buildings in Loate. The streets and the canals are obviously well kept by the people. The scent of fresh food filled the air.
Overall, the Vanifi empire is a lot better to Loate in terms of technological and economic advancement.
The carriage stop in front of the massive imperial palace that was shining brightly from the sunlight.
The carriage door opened and I went down.
A red carpet was laid down already to received their 'honored guest' from Loate.
A woman with vibrant orange hair, the signature trait of the imperial family, was in the middle of group of people that were receiving me today.
"It is a great honor to meet the sun of the Vanifi empire, the empress, Empress Lucia Arte Vanifi"
"You are Lady Dianna Emond, daughter of duke Emond, correct?"
"That is correct, your majesty"
"Did the king of Loate told you anything?"
"Yes"
I pulled a scroll from my bag which had the royal seal on the scroll case.
"The kingdom of Loate would like to be a vassal state of the the great empire of Vanifi. However, only if the empire subjugates the kingdom of Chejada within a year; This is the message of the king of Loate ask me to deliver to you, your majesty"
The vassals of the empress and the guards were holding back their anger. Though the first part of the message properly portrayed respect in tone the other half was impolite, if not rude, to them.
"Ho~ I wonder why the king ask something like that. Do you have any idea why?"
"I believe it is to avoid a double war; from the inside and the outside"
Dianna's father, the duke, is a merciful man but very ruthless to those who as much as talk ill to his children.
If the time limit was not put in the message, father would have committed treason. Which is why a time limit was put in place.
At the same time, the Vanifi empire can't just reject it due to their pride.
"A double war you say...."
"I believe there is no need to explain anymore as you already know the situation better than I"
"How would I know something like that when I am here in the imperial palace everyday"
"Then, does that mean that marquees Annora is doing a poor job on his work, your majesty?"